news Pequot Lakes is buzzing with speculation over what is going on at the former Northern Food King/Lakes Latte building on the corner of Main Street and Highway 371. The building is being completely remodeled inside and out with plans to open as a Family Dollar Store in mid-June. “You’ll see 8,500 square...
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2013-04-30 16:39:21

Pequot Lakes is buzzing with speculation over what is going on at the former Northern Food King/Lakes Latte building on the corner of Main Street and Highway 371.

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The building is being completely remodeled inside and out with plans to open as a Family Dollar Store in mid-June.

“You’ll see 8,500 square feet of sales area,” said Jason Edwards, project manager for RenCon Services in Indianapolis, Ind., the general contractor for the Pequot Lakes store.

He said the store has an extended lease for a decade with building owner Richard Andolshek. The corporation does its research before opening stores in communities, Edwards said, noting Family Dollar Stores in smaller communities are thriving.

“In smaller towns in Minnesota, they blow up,” he said. “The one in North Brach, their numbers are crazy.”

The nearest Family Dollar Store is on Washington Street in Brainerd.

The Pequot Lakes store’s size is typical for Family Dollar Stores. Edwards said today’s stores are twice as big at nearly 10,000 square feet as in years past.

By next week, residents should see new wood trim being installed on the building’s exterior. The wood shakes have been removed and will be replaced by a red metal roof.

A Family Dollar Store sign will go up in three to four weeks.

Edwards said a Family Dollar Store district manager will come in to hire local staff.

Crossroads in Time

Business owner Cathy Hughes has combined her three Pequot Lakes stores under one roof, recently settling in the former Silver Creek Traders building on Government Drive.

Hughes moved Crossroads in Time and the Kitchen Place from the Jack Pine Center, and the Gumdrop Tree toy store from the former Calico Cottage building to fill the expansive log structure.

Little Monkeys

Little Monkeys Clothing Store recently moved from Jenkins to the Jack Pine Center in Pequot Lakes.

Owned by Jenny Cline, the store buys and sells gently used and new children’s clothing, toys, books, games, baby equipment and furniture, and maternity clothes.

Little Monkeys first opened its doors in November 2010 in the Jenkins Junction building.